Kassidy Hill

CHARLOTTE It's the most exciting two minutes in sports! The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is taking place this weekend at the iconic Churchill Downs, drawing some of the biggest names in sports to the track. And in arguably one of the best collaborations we've seen in some time, that list now includes Carolina Panthers receiverXavier Legette.

Legette is heading in to his second year with the Panthers. But it took just one season for fans in the Carolinas and across the NFL to learn if there's one thing Legette loves more than anything, it's horses. He has a couple of his own, and his quarter horse Dolla Bill became a Panthers fan favorite in his own right during the 2024 season. So when the NFL needed to tap a social correspondent for the Kentucky Derby this weekend, there was only one choice.

The Mullins, South Carolina native arrived in Churchill Downs earlier in the week and immediately brought smiles to faces both human and horses.

On Friday, Legettein his best Churchill Downs threadsmet with ESPN reporter Marty Smith. The two talked about where Legette's love of horses first came from (his dad and uncle), how muchAdam Thielenhas helped Legette in his maturation in the NFL, and how the receiver is growing withBryce Young.

"He a great person, and I think what kept him on the high horse is he plays with a lot of grit. I think he's a guy with a whole lot of grit. I don't think too much of anything can bring him down," Legette said of Young.

The Panthers also addedTetairoa McMillanwith the No. 8 overall pick int he 2025 NFL draft a week-and-a-half ago. While Legette and McMillan haven't been on the field together yet (OTAs will begin May 27), the former is already excited about what the duo can become.

"He a guy that can go high-point the ball, and to me I think he can do a little bit of everything," Legette said of McMillan. "And with me and him on the field at the same time, I think it'll be a little hard to guard that."

Also on Friday, Legette tried 24K gold bacon. After a couple of bites, he said he wanted to send some back to Mullins, South Carolina to his people.

Legette infamously brought raccoon for his teammates to try in the locker room last season. It made such an impact on the food world, that renown chef Guy Fieri tried to get the recipe out of Legette on the red carpet Saturday afternoon. On behalf of Mullins, Legette kept the secret ingredients to himself.

The fashion of the Kentucky Derby draws just as much attention as the horses. Legette managed to keep his look for race day both true to his country roots, and dripping in brand names.